G21 B3 - has anybody ordered?

[PhillV8S]

I don’t understand the comparison people use with a 340, surely the direct competition is the M version. Probably doesn’t make any difference ref the finance and discounts available but performance wise the M car is the car to compare against with all aspects.

Mainly because under the skin it is a 340i. It shares far more architecture with the 340 than it does with the M3.

Yes the performance is closer to an M3 but so is a mapped 340i.

I’m not sure how you have come to that conclusion? The engine in the B3 is a reworked S83 lump from the M3, not a tuned 340 engine!

[Waitey]

I don’t understand the comparison people use with a 340, surely the direct competition is the M version. Probably doesn’t make any difference ref the finance and discounts available but performance wise the M car is the car to compare against with all aspects.

Mainly because under the skin it is a 340i. It shares far more architecture with the 340 than it does with the M3.

Yes the performance is closer to an M3 but so is a mapped 340i.

I’m not sure how you have come to that conclusion? The engine in the B3 is a reworked S83 lump from the M3, not a tuned 340 engine!

It still shares far more with an 340 than the upcoming M3. And considering how similar the B58/S58 now are, a M lite 340i will have the potential to be just as fast.

Back to the original point, if BMW can offer £8k-£15k support on 340i/M3's with a lower rate and therefore return on finance then technically Alpina could too.

They will still sell well, its just the current aggressive sales strategy of BMW actually making them look expensive.

[Stuck_mojo]

The good news is that it's NOT an M3 considering how ghastly that front end looks on that and the M4. Any sensible person would by a B3 over an M3.

[Guy]

The good news is that it's NOT an M3 considering how ghastly that front end looks on that and the M4. Any sensible person would by a B3 over an M3.

But the ugly front end is on all new 4 series and if Alpina build a B4 it will likely share most of it as they will not be able to re-engineer the entire front/grill.

[Jonnywishbone]

Trigger pulled on my G21 Alpina M340i!

Whichever way you look at it, it’s expensive, though the more reasonable BMW finance APR offered was what allowed me to pull the trigger - not because it would otherwise be unaffordable but it would be harder to justify. It would have been an RS4 otherwise but I will happily pay more for the B3.

Ultimately the premium paid over the M-Lite and M3, at least for me, is partly due to exclusivity and frankly, an intangible feeling of pleasure that I would not get from any other non-exotic car.

I joined the forum in 2014, have lurked constantly but have not been active because I have never owned one, but have always wanted (a new) one. The scratch would not be itched by any other car within my price range. I’m happy paying to finally scratch, even if it means I’m “overpaying”. Let’s face it, nobody actually needs to spend more than £20k on a car - within that budget you can get everything you could possibly need from a car. Spending any more than that is less about need and more about want.

Anyway, that’s my waffly take. Roll on October.

[PhillV8S]

Well done, look forward to pics when you get your new Alpina. Welcome to the club

[Stuck_mojo]

Trigger pulled on my G21 Alpina M340i!

Whichever way you look at it, it’s expensive, though the more reasonable BMW finance APR offered was what allowed me to pull the trigger - not because it would otherwise be unaffordable but it would be harder to justify. It would have been an RS4 otherwise but I will happily pay more for the B3.

Ultimately the premium paid over the M-Lite and M3, at least for me, is partly due to exclusivity and frankly, an intangible feeling of pleasure that I would not get from any other non-exotic car.

I joined the forum in 2014, have lurked constantly but have not been active because I have never owned one, but have always wanted (a new) one. The scratch would not be itched by any other car within my price range. I’m happy paying to finally scratch, even if it means I’m “overpaying”. Let’s face it, nobody actually needs to spend more than £20k on a car - within that budget you can get everything you could possibly need from a car. Spending any more than that is less about need and more about want.

Anyway, that’s my waffly take. Roll on October.

Well done. Jealous of your new purchase!

[Stuck_mojo]

The good news is that it's NOT an M3 considering how ghastly that front end looks on that and the M4. Any sensible person would by a B3 over an M3.

But the ugly front end is on all new 4 series and if Alpina build a B4 it will likely share most of it as they will not be able to re-engineer the entire front/grill.

Yes but it looks like the M3 will have the same ugly M4 front end so the Alpina is pretty much the only way to go if you want a proper fast beemer. (In my case it would still be the choice).

[Swizzer2020]

Has anybody test driven a G20 B3/D3? If so any comments on the ride comfort in comfort plus? Are the seats just standard G20 sport items? Wondering how well this model will deal with UK pothole/crack ridden roads...

[Simon Rose]

I await a test drive of both b and d back to back with Gary then i will be making my choise. I love my D3 and for my North Wales sorties its the weapon of choise.

[Jonnywishbone]

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/al ... -uk-review

[Scot4444]

apologies Kith, sorry I haven't replied since June...! Been a crazy few months. I ordered Alpina Green with Cognac leather and black stripes. Pretty much all the Christmas trimmings except for big brakes and any enhanced nanny safety extras. Classic wheels being painted black (not everyone's taste I know but I love 'em). I've definitely (s)withered along the way due to lack of discounts and general impatience, but apparently its here in the UK tomorrow and should hopefully reach me next week. Now selling my XD3 which has been a great car and proper Swiss Army knife. My wife says I will regret letting it go and pretty sure she'd rather we keep it. I'm worried the B3 doesn't sound as good as it looks, although the pre-production car they had at Sytner had a decent growl according to the FB video clip I saw.

[Frosty]

apologies Kith, sorry I haven't replied since June...! Been a crazy few months. I ordered Alpina Green with Cognac leather and black stripes. Pretty much all the Christmas trimmings except for big brakes and any enhanced nanny safety extras. Classic wheels being painted black (not everyone's taste I know but I love 'em). I've definitely (s)withered along the way due to lack of discounts and general impatience, but apparently its here in the UK tomorrow and should hopefully reach me next week. Now selling my XD3 which has been a great car and proper Swiss Army knife. My wife says I will regret letting it go and pretty sure she'd rather we keep it. I'm worried the B3 doesn't sound as good as it looks, although the pre-production car they had at Sytner had a decent growl according to the FB video clip I saw.

Exciting times, I would not have been sleeping for weeks! So you get it just as a boat may be the order of the day in some parts of the country;-)

[Jonnywishbone]

I’ve just got back home having had a brief test drive in the Sytner demo car Touring #007, which is the car which was loaned to Autocar and TG magazine. I’ve done things a bit backwards, testing the car after placing the order but I wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity.

My immediate impressions:

• The car looks less aggressive in the metal than it does in photos - which is a plus in my book - and it looks stunning.

• I’ve read a review somewhere which states that whilst it pulls hard and linearly it doesn’t really give you a shove in the back. All I can say in response is it bloody well does! Though it obviously isn’t, it does feel just as quick 30-60 as 0-30.

• Whilst there is a brief delay in the response from the drivetrain when you floor it in auto, in manual mode the throttle response, even low down, is barely distinguishable from an N/A engine powered car. Really impressive.

• As per the reviews, the suspension set up is brilliant. It manages, on 20” rims, to be both much smoother and more cosseting than my M240i in its comfort suspension mode riding 18s whilst having virtually no body roll whatsoever. In truth in the relatively short time I was in the car I couldn’t distinguish a huge difference in the suppleness of the ride between Comfort+ and Sport+. Additionally despite being a substantially bigger car it doesn’t feel like it on the road.

• The optional paddle shifters which replace the “nipples” feel really, really nice to use and I would recommend ticking that box for a couple hundred quid.

• The HUD is excellent - it’s the only option I regret not ticking.

• The ALPINA-specific Pirelli P-Zero tyres don’t provide any rim protection at all. I optioned Park Assistant+ for the times the wife will be driving (honest) but I imagine it’ll be a help in avoiding scuffing the huge alloys.

The only downside is finding out that my car won’t be ready until Jan/Feb, having ordered in July. Not unexpected but the wait will be painful.

[hap]

Silly question but can’t u add the hud now?